about

Who We Are

Sleevehead offers a fresh voice and welcoming community for makers, especially emerging artisans and tailors who have not been widely recognized, and their supporters. You might call us contrarian but we’re not rebelling for rebellion’s sake.

Not satisfied with fashion trends or conventional wisdom? You’ll find us sympathetic. Seeking an alternative voice and perspective in menswear, style and related topics? You’re in good company.

A proven ability to see through conventional wisdom and provide unexpected insights and observations beyond the surface level

founder

Journey

the beginning

In 2005, Sleevehead began as a personal blog. In fact, it was one of the first menswear blogs, and has documented my own sartorial journey in ready-to-wear, followed by made-to-measure and then finally bespoke.

From RTW to Bespoke

I ended up visiting dozens of bespoke tailors around the world. Initially, I invested my time and resources in some of the most well-known bespoke tailors in London. As the origin of modern men’s tailoring, Savile Row continues to flourish and remain incredibly relevant after 150 years. I also explored Naples, the second capital of bespoke tailoring with its buzzing cluster of workshops. My travels took me to the Far East as an emerging option for global customers and very talented US tailors from Los Angeles to New York and D.C. I also learned how to make a dress shirt (see right), textile fabrication & quality, pattern making, draping, and leather technology.

Making my first men's shirt from scratch was a revelation

Two of the most well-known bespoke brands in the world

State of the Art

For a long time I thought London and Naples were the alpha and omega of bespoke tailoring. This sentiment has become conventional wisdom reflected and refracted by bloggers, influencers, fashion writers and mainstream media. Other tailors and artisans on the London-Naples axis (including Paris, Milan and Rome) have also been amply covered and promoted. And deservedly so.

A Black Swan discovered

Yet the most significant school of heritage tailoring after Savile Row and Naples has been neglected for decades. I found this third school of heritage tailoring on the intriguing Mediterranean island of Sicily.Of all of my bespoke experiences, Sicily has been the most rewarding despite the effort required. Sicilian tailors rarely travel overseas and speak English. Yet the reward has far exceeded the effort. Put simply, if you enjoy soft, mildly structured tailoring I cannot think of a more edifying choice.

In 2011, I independently researched, wrote and published Sleevehead’s Guide to Sicilian Tailors, the first and only guide to unlocking the last secret left in men’s bespoke tailoring. Ignored for decades and nearly forgotten, Sicilian tailors have a tremendous story but no one was willing to tell it. I remember being shocked that tailors so skilled could be so unknown. So I decided to tell their story.

If you live near Italy or travel regularly to Europe and speak Italian, then I urge you to personally visit Sicily. If you prepare and plan properly, nothing compares to discovering Sicilian tailoring in person.

2017

In 2017, I launched Sicilian Reserve to channel the last secret left in heritage bespoke tailoring and specifically targeted to those who are unable to travel to Sicily.

I also updated and published a greatly expanded second edition of SGST.

2018

In 2018, I launched Sleevehead.org to create the leading destination and community linking established and emergent tailors and artisans in Sicily, the Mediterranean basin and beyond to a global network of supporters, enthusiasts and customers.

A Different Approach

I hope you will join us in making your sartorial, experiential journey part of a larger community writing the next chapter of menswear, tailoring and craftsmanship.Cordially, Juhn